With rapidly evolving technology and increasing consumer demands, printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is a hot market for those looking for employment. Printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is the process of populating the bare board with electronic components to create a printed circuit assembly (PCA) which are then used in electronics. The industry of printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is not limited to production line workers, but also operators, managers, technicians, quality inspectors, and more. We have listed some popular roles in printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The descriptions and the qualifications are similar between companies, but be sure to check for specific expectations between different organizations.

Examples of PCBA Job Positions

SMT Operators manually install electronic components and jumper wires, use small hand tools, perform repetitive assembly tasks, and perform a variety of mechanical assembly tasks. Applicants are expected to have excellent communication, problem solving skills, organization, and attention to detail. This position usually requires 1 year of previous experience in PCBA or related work, and the applicant should be familiar with surface-mount technology (SMT) components and the assembly process.

SMT Supplier Quality Engineers are responsible for working with suppliers, collect and evaluate supplier data, and coordinate with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Product Quality to ensure issues are resolved and agreements are reached. They require a technical background in SMT/PCBA manufacturing, quality management, and usually a minimum of 3 years of previous experience in the role. Applicants with a Degree in Engineering or Electrical Engineering are typically preferred, and are required to have strong understanding of statistical analysis and problem solving methods.

Test Technicians support daily production activities, test and analyze products, inspection of components, and troubleshooting. Test technicians have a strong electronics background, ability to troubleshoot electronic circuits, and experience in mechanical assembly. Applicants are usually required to have post-secondary education in Electronics, a minimum of 3 years in manufacturing, have an understanding of metrology equipment, use data collection software, and be able to use electronic repair tools and testers.